US FDA: Caffeine in children’s foods is ‘dangerous’

US FDA is concerned about the rise in caffeine-added products outside the beverage industry. It has warned of a possible crackdown against the presence of caffeine in children's foods

There is a slew of ‘high energy’ foods in the market sporting substantial added caffeine and the US FDA believes that the trend is very disturbing

Singapore: The US FDA has said that the addition of caffeine to children's foods like jelly beans and chewing gum is ‘dangerous' and has warned of a possible crackdown.

The increase of ‘high energy' food products in the market sporting substantial added caffeine has caused worry and the US FDA believes that the trend is very disturbing.

US FDA deputy commissioner, Mr Michael Taylor, said, "The rise in such caffeine-added products outside the beverage industry is very disturbing. We believe that some in the food industry are on a dubious, potentially dangerous path."

In late April, Wrigley introduced its Alert Energy Caffeine Gum, saying the product is aimed for adults and ‘lets people control the amount of caffeine they want on-the-go.'

Commenting on this, Mr Taylor said on the FDA website, "The gum is just one more unfortunate example of the trend to add caffeine to food. One pack of this gum is like having four cups of coffee in your pocket. Our concern is about caffeine appearing in a range of new products, including ones that may be attractive and readily available to children and adolescents, without careful consideration of their cumulative impact."